JP - I so often agree with you on music - yet I think something truly has to be "timeless" to be considered as defining a generation. Songs like "Break on Through" classify the 60's. Songs like "Stayin Alive" somehow classify the 70's. It's too early to say what applies for our time period, but I'm hedging my bets now that it will be hip-hop related.
do those songs really define those generations, say if you were living in that generation, would those be the songs that they picked, or the songs that the media picks?
does it matter?
great point, now that you mention it, i really don't think that is does.
I think "Stairway to Heaven" probably typified the '70's. And I'd say "Yesterday" by the Beatles for the '60's.
looks like many agree with "Stairway to Heaven" -- http://www.alaskajim.com/polls/2004/2004bestsongof1970s.htm